Dad Forces Six-Year-Old to Pose With Pistol For Pictures

I grew up going target shooting with my dad, but times have changed and I can't imagine even putting my kids in close proximity of a firearm. One father in central Florida felt differently. The five times convicted felon was under investigation for burglary when law enforcement found pictures of his six-year-old daughter holding a pistol while searching his home.

According to the police, the father found humor in forcing the girl to pose for the pictures that he captured on his camera phone. He is currently in jail for other shots that showed him holding an SKS rifle as it violated his parole that prevents him from possessing a firearm. He also faces charges for grand theft and dealing in stolen property.

My father kept several guns in the closet--unloaded. Even so, I was never allowed to touch them & I never did. In fact, I was about 22 years old before I actually held or used a gun. It was one with the barrel thing (6 bullets?) & I only pulled the trigger once. I haven't touched one since.
I don't oppose gun ownership, though. You just need to be smart, even if there are no children in your house.

My father kept several guns in the closet--unloaded. Even so, I was never allowed to touch them & I never did. In fact, I was about 22 years old before I actually held or used a gun. It was one with the barrel thing (6 bullets?) & I only pulled the trigger once. I haven't touched one since.I don't oppose gun ownership, though. You just need to be smart, even if there are no children in your house.

My step-sister recently purchased an air rifle for her six year old. This was probably 6 months after one of her distant relatives, a child, was killed when a gun he was playing with went off in his eye. When my step-sister's son opened the gift, he said "Cool! Now I can shoot a squirrel in the eye!". I just thought that was more than disturbing.
It's not just criminals who use guns incorrectly around children, it can be middle class suburban moms too.

My step-sister recently purchased an air rifle for her six year old. This was probably 6 months after one of her distant relatives, a child, was killed when a gun he was playing with went off in his eye. When my step-sister's son opened the gift, he said "Cool! Now I can shoot a squirrel in the eye!". I just thought that was more than disturbing.It's not just criminals who use guns incorrectly around children, it can be middle class suburban moms too.

That is disgusting. Who puts a gun in the hands of a child for the sake of taking scary-looking pictures is careless and pathetic. I hope this girl is taken away from her father. Hopefully, she's young enough that she won't be too effected by her father's awful parenting if she's placed in responsible hands.

I think this is not indicative of people who own firearms and have children.
I grew up with guns in my house, in fact they stored rifles (unloaded) in the top of my closet. I knew they were there, but also knew not to touch. I was taught how to shoot a gun, and competed in "turkey shoots" and Won many a turkey! You can teach your children a healthy respect for firearms.

I think this is not indicative of people who own firearms and have children. I grew up with guns in my house, in fact they stored rifles (unloaded) in the top of my closet. I knew they were there, but also knew not to touch. I was taught how to shoot a gun, and competed in "turkey shoots" and Won many a turkey! You can teach your children a healthy respect for firearms.

Wow, there is absolutely no reason for a 6 year old to handle that type of weapon. I have a couple nieces, 5 and 4, who have small .22 rifles that they can't fire without an adult...I think there's a trigger lock or something to prevent it. On the issues of guns and kids, I personally it is extremely irresponsible parenting not to teach kids about them. I don't mean necessarily taking them out to shoot, but just shutting them off and never saying anything. My nieces are allowed to play with toy guns but they are never ever allowed to point at people or pets. More families have guns then most people seem to realize and even if you don't have any in your home, they most likely will encounter them at some point at a friend's house. My husband also thinks it's very important to teach them how destructive guns can be...for example, shooting one of their toys to show how dangerous they can be if not used correctly.

p.s. young boys i knew who grew up in areas where families hunted, had an interesting way of teaching their kids the impact of guns. once they were allowed to have their first "bb" gun, they had to eat anything they killed. i know of boys who learned their lessons about guns and violence by eating squirrels and birds they thought were fun to kill and they never forgot. seems severe for an urban family, but it's an important early lesson to learn if you are going to be handling and exposed to guns regularly.

I believe in giving children a healty respect for guns. This guy is just a jerk and moron - exactly the kind that gives responsible gun owners a bad rap.
I plan on allowing my son to own a gun; however, he WILL NOT have access to his rifle(s) without going through me or my husband until he's 18. No way, no how. Our guns are in safes AND with trigger locks. But, he will soon have his own .22 single shot rifle (they make great kid's rifles that have a special "key" that is required to release the firing pin) and he'll learn how to shoot and to respect guns.
He already knows that it is wrong to shoot people, houses, trees, etc. He knows that you use a gun to shoot animals, and only if you're going to use the animal for food. Teaching respect for guns, how to handle a gun (even at the video arcade, we demand that he handles the "toy guns" just the same as he would a real gun - watch where your barrel is pointing, proper hold, etc.).
Unfortunately, I believe too many people are afraid of guns because they don't understand them. A gun, while inherently dangerous, is not something to fear. Knowledge is necessary and appropriate and respect is critical.
It's just incredibly annoying that jerks like this are going to continue to whittle away my right as a responsible citizen to own weapons.

I believe in giving children a healty respect for guns. This guy is just a jerk and moron - exactly the kind that gives responsible gun owners a bad rap.I plan on allowing my son to own a gun; however, he WILL NOT have access to his rifle(s) without going through me or my husband until he's 18. No way, no how. Our guns are in safes AND with trigger locks. But, he will soon have his own .22 single shot rifle (they make great kid's rifles that have a special "key" that is required to release the firing pin) and he'll learn how to shoot and to respect guns. He already knows that it is wrong to shoot people, houses, trees, etc. He knows that you use a gun to shoot animals, and only if you're going to use the animal for food. Teaching respect for guns, how to handle a gun (even at the video arcade, we demand that he handles the "toy guns" just the same as he would a real gun - watch where your barrel is pointing, proper hold, etc.).Unfortunately, I believe too many people are afraid of guns because they don't understand them. A gun, while inherently dangerous, is not something to fear. Knowledge is necessary and appropriate and respect is critical. It's just incredibly annoying that jerks like this are going to continue to whittle away my right as a responsible citizen to own weapons.

p.s. my father had many guns in the house and we were raised on military bases, but i NEVER was allowed to hold a gun and we were FORBIDDEN from going near one. i don't ever recall wanting to. in addition to locking your guns away, teaching your child the value of life also helps prevent gun use, curiousity or mistakes. and put these dangerous weapons in their proper perspective.
for instance, i can't imagine my parents allowing us to watch these violent movies or playing violent video games like children and teens are allowed to do today!!

p.s. my father had many guns in the house and we were raised on military bases, but i NEVER was allowed to hold a gun and we were FORBIDDEN from going near one. i don't ever recall wanting to. in addition to locking your guns away, teaching your child the value of life also helps prevent gun use, curiousity or mistakes. and put these dangerous weapons in their proper perspective.for instance, i can't imagine my parents allowing us to watch these violent movies or playing violent video games like children and teens are allowed to do today!!

her dad's a criminal, what do you expect? kids learn what they're raised with. my dad was talking about the war on his last visit and my 7 year old said "what war?" and when grandpa told her she said "they still have those? can't you think of anything better?" sad to think that this child was told guns are funny and attention worthy. children should be taught from an early age that something as dangerous as a gun is treated with respect and used only when there is no other option.elephantheart, that's a great idea for kids who's parents are in law enforcement. then they have the opportunity to ask questions and touch it and use it but learn that it isn't for play. is that commonly done? probably should be if it isn't.

her dad's a criminal, what do you expect? kids learn what they're raised with. my dad was talking about the war on his last visit and my 7 year old said "what war?" and when grandpa told her she said "they still have those? can't you think of anything better?"
sad to think that this child was told guns are funny and attention worthy. children should be taught from an early age that something as dangerous as a gun is treated with respect and used only when there is no other option.
elephantheart, that's a great idea for kids who's parents are in law enforcement. then they have the opportunity to ask questions and touch it and use it but learn that it isn't for play. is that commonly done? probably should be if it isn't.

I would never want my daughters next to any kind of weapon unless there was a good reason (like elephantheart's). Other than that, I feel it is just uncalled for. I think, if you are going to have guns in your house with children they should be locked away at all times.
I just feel like you should take every precaution. Why take that chance. Crazy things happen. There are SO many accidents involing children and weapons. You just NEVER know.

I would never want my daughters next to any kind of weapon unless there was a good reason (like elephantheart's). Other than that, I feel it is just uncalled for. I think, if you are going to have guns in your house with children they should be locked away at all times. I just feel like you should take every precaution. Why take that chance. Crazy things happen. There are SO many accidents involing children and weapons. You just NEVER know.

Wow this is just odd. I am all about gun safety and teaching them to respect so they would understand what they can do and why they should not play with them but man what a loon to want to take pictures like this. I don't care if the gun is unloaded, it is very weird.

I would never do this. My daughters, who are 8 and 6, have had lessons with guns. They went to a shooting range and were taught by a trained professional. The difference is, my husband is a law enforcement officer and we have a gun in our house. We felt that it was better for them to be educated and know how to handle it, although we keep it locked away and they are never exposed to it on a daily basis.

I would never do this. My daughters, who are 8 and 6, have had lessons with guns. They went to a shooting range and were taught by a trained professional. The difference is, my husband is a law enforcement officer and we have a gun in our house. We felt that it was better for them to be educated and know how to handle it, although we keep it locked away and they are never exposed to it on a daily basis.